The Dungeons & Dragons Icons initiative, spearheaded by actor and D&D enthusiast Joe Manganiello, is looking beyond traditional fantasy realms. Manganiello, who holds the title of chief creative officer for the initiative, indicated in a conversation at Gen Con 2026 that modern-day settings could become a part of the program's future offerings. The initiative aims to connect iconic creators from D&D's past, such as author R.A. Salvatore, with the contemporary game.
Manganiello suggested that a present-day game focusing on genetics and military themes could be explored. He also noted the rapid pace of modern life and the potential for a D&D game to be set within our current world. Furthermore, he expressed interest in revisiting other D&D worlds that may not have been fully realized during their initial release.
While specific details remain under wraps, Manganiello's comments hint at a broader scope for D&D Icons, potentially appealing to players interested in more contemporary fantasy adventures. The idea of adapting the D&D ruleset to settings akin to futuristic science fiction like Halo or Horizon: Zero Dawn was raised as a possibility, which could broaden the game's audience. This exploration of modern content would not be entirely unprecedented, as Wizards of the Coast has experimented with more contemporary themes in D&D in the past.